While the world was going ga-ga over the Met Gala fashion rollout of designer gowns, the Salvation Army Women’s Auxiliary Dallas‘ Fashion Show and Luncheon was proving that recycled fashions were showstoppers without all the hype.
Taking place at the Meyerson Symphony Center on Tuesday, May 7, the mega show, shopathon and luncheon didn’t quite get off to a happy start for some. Arriving in the lobby, it was noted that frownie faces were in the crowd.
It seems that Center vets, who had simply always self-parked, had been sent to the inner bowels of the underground garage. Some simply gave up and headed to the quickest exit to turn over their wheels to the valets. Others didn’t give up and went down, down, down. As one person admitted, “It was like a parking version of Dante’s Inferno.” A nearby gal upon hearing that comment quipped, “Who’s Dante?”
While the parting of the parking waves was taking place on the street, the rehearsal in the McDermott Concert Hall got underway with Fashion Show Chair Shannon Graham, Honorary Chair Shelle Sills, SAWA President Candace Winslow, Margot Perot and Margot Perot Community Service Awardee Kathie King.
In the meantime while some headed upstairs to check out the “Chic Boutique,” others in the lobby like Kathie’s daughters, Joyce King Michael and Rachel King Huff, Shelle’s husband Dr. Michael Sills, Lisa Cooley, Katherine Wyker, Nelda Cain Pickens, Becky Bright, Haley Anderson, Carol Seay, Beth Thoele, Kimber Hartmann, Michal Powell, Debbie Raynor, Aileen Pratt, Sue Justice, Lisa Troutt, Leslie Merrick 2024-2025 SAWA President Laura Downing and Highland Park fashion experts Victoria Snee and 70-pounds-lighter Reed Robertson socialized.
Taking all of the scene in was Stacey Walker taking copious notes. The reason? Stacey will be chairing the 2025 fundraiser. She admitted that this event was going to be a challenge, saying, “There are so many working parts.”
When a passerby heard Stacey’s comments, she smiled saying, “Now you know why Shannon looks so relieved.”
As the sold-out crowed lined up to enter the concert hall, it was noted that Gene Jones, Laura Bush, Annette Simmons, Nancy Halbreich, Lee Ann White, Peggy Sewell, Kelli Ford and Joan Levy had arrived for their place on the Orchestra Terrace on the right of the stage.
Surprising some guests was WFAA’s Teresa Woodard welcoming the group. While she apologized for the scheduled emcee Cynthia Izaquirre‘s not being at the podium, Teresa shared a story about “Charlie,” about whom she had done a story years ago, and his support of the Salvation Army of North Texas’s Angel Tree over the years.
While her remarks were brief, they were the perfect intro for the day’s program that included Shannon’s welcome and thanking Shelle, The Salvation Army North Texas Command Major Dawn McFarland‘s saluting the Auxiliary for its support of the Army and introducing a video about the Army followed by Candace’s welcoming to the podium Margot, who presented the award to Kathie.
Despite having a slight froggy in her throat, Margot rose to the occasion saluting Kathie.
Next up were Victoria and Reed, who shared their forecast of upcoming fashionable trends.
Then it was on to the show of donated outfits and gowns that had been donated and “readjusted” in some cases to be up for sale. As the parade of models lined the stage, two dancers performed to “Venus”.
With vignettes ranging from “Parent Trap” to “La Dolce Vita,” the presentation seemed a bit in need of editing. But who could say, “No!” to looks of the past looking fabulous today?
For more looks of the day’s beautifully recycled fashions, check out MySweetCharity Photo Gallery.